A-DORA-ble

I was honored to bake a very fun cake for Kristen and her daughter Jadyn who turned 3 in the month of March. I met Kristen through the great wedding season of 08 when she photographed our friend's wedding and we discovered she was good friends with our wedding photographer Lisa. What a small world! Jadyn is a big Dora and Diego fan and when Kristen asked me to bake a cake with Jadyn's favorite characters on there I was really excited about the challenge. It was my first two tiered fondant cake and it came with it's challenges and lessons and I will definitely make changes the next time, but I was impressed at the outcome. And glad to have it off of my hands because that little cake caused me a lot of stress. Wink ;) You can't believe how many times I woke up in the middle of the night to check on that cake. With a few minor issues, the cake survived and I hope that Kristen and Jadyn enjoyed it!!

One of the great perks about baking over at my parents is using my mom's kitchen aid mixer. I find that if you let it go for a bit the cake comes out nice and fluffy. I might just have to invest in one of these.

I'm still so happy with this marshmallow fondant recipe. Over time it's been so easy to work with and so accommodating. (And such a money saver...plus!)


I still need to perfect the perfect consistency of cake thickness and balance so that the top tier isn't too heavy. The bottom tier sank a little and I need to also work on carving the cake some because I want the fondant to sit smoother on the cake. Still lots to learn but I have to start somewhere!


The finished product!!

Sweet Springtime

Alright, go head, I'm holding out my wrist. You can slap me now. I know, I've been a baaaaad blogger. Over a month since my last post?! How could I?

Well, now that my wrist stings, I'm just going to fix this little problem that we have. Springtime is finally approaching and I've had my first tastes of that warmer air where I don't even need a jacket and I can drive around with the windows down and Ray LaMontagne up, thus I'm feeling better. Winter always does a number on me, but who doesn't fall into that category? Unless you live in the tropics. Jerks.

My feet aren't dragging at a molasses' pace anymore and the thought of extra hours of light in the day gets me all ready to try new things. In these colder, gloomier days I've been perusing various baking websites to gather up ideas for my spring overhaul. I have an up and coming project in the last weekend of March that I'm really excited about. I was asked to make a cake for a 3rd birthday party for an adorable little girl who wants Dora and Diego to grace her cake. You got it little lady. (Stay tuned for pictures and updates on that awesome cake!)

Spring is also the downfall of me. Why? Because of these:
Oh cadbury mini eggs. How you will be the death of me this spring. You always are. I am determined to find a way to incorporate these into a baking project for Easter. Just wait.

Speaking of incorporating yummyness into a baking project, take a look at what the folks over on CakeSpy recently posted. Yes my friends, a Girl Scout cookie cupcake. Say it with me, HEAVEN.

A coconut cupcake with Samoa crumbles on top. If I had a box of Samoas in my house I would be making these, stat. But alas, the universe is against me and my weightloss strategy wins again so that cannot happen. Instead, I will just oogle over their deliciousness.

And lastly, other baking cuteness I've come across in recent days.

I'm always a huge fan of Hello Naomi and her adorable cupcakes.


Then of course there's my friend, Bakerella, with these adorable as always St. Patty's day cake balls.
And who says you always have to eat the cuteness? Why not wear it? I love this Natalie Dee Cupcake Shirt.

Until next time,